NEW YORK/BEIJING/ADDIS ABABA/OSLO/JOHANNESBURG (September 16, 2014) — A major new report released by a commission of global leaders finds that governments and businesses can now improve economic growth and reduce their carbon emissions together. Rapid technological innovation and new investment in infrastructure are making it possible today to tackle climate change at the same time as improving economic performance.

“The New Climate Economy report refutes the idea that we must choose between fighting climate change or growing the world’s economy. That is a false dilemma,” said former President of Mexico Felipe Calderón, Chair of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate. “Today’s report details compelling evidence on how technological change is driving new opportunities to improve growth, create jobs, boost company profits and spur economic development. The report sends a clear message to government and private sector leaders: we can improve the economy and tackle climate change at the same time.”

Better Growth, Better Climate: The New Climate Economy Report was presented to governments and business and finance leaders at a global launch event at the UN headquarters in New York City, attended by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon. The report arrives just one week before the UN Climate Summit.

The report finds that over the next 15 years, about US $90 trillion will be invested in infrastructure in the world’s cities, agriculture and energy systems. The world has an unprecedented opportunity to drive investment in low-carbon growth, bringing multiple benefits including jobs, health, business productivity and quality of life.

“The decisions we make now will determine the future of our economy and our climate,” said Lord Nicholas Stern, Co-Chair of the Global Commission. “If we choose low-carbon investment we can generate strong, high-quality growth – not just in the future, but now. But if we continue down the high-carbon route, climate change will bring severe risks to long-term prosperity.”

The report finds that there are now major opportunities to achieve strong growth with lower emissions in three key sectors of the global economy – cities, land use and energy. To achieve this growth, governments and businesses need to improve resource efficiency, invest in good-quality infrastructure, and stimulate technological and business innovation.

Cities: Building better connected, more compact cities based on mass public transport can save over US $3 trillion in investment costs over the next 15 years. These measures will improve economic performance and quality of life with lower emissions.

Land use: Restoring just 12% of the world’s degraded lands can feed another 200 million people and raise farmers’ incomes by $40 billion a year – and also cut emissions from deforestation.

Energy: As the price of solar and wind power falls dramatically, over half of new electricity generation over the next 15 years is likely to be from renewable energy, reducing dependence on highly polluting coal.

Resource efficiency: Phasing out the $600 billion currently spent on subsidies for fossil fuels (compared to $100 billion on renewable energy) will help to improve energy efficiency and make funds available for poverty reduction.

Infrastructure investment: New financial instruments can cut capital costs for clean energy by up to 20%.

Innovation: Tripling research and development in low-carbon technologies to at least 0.1% of GDP can drive a new wave of innovation for growth.

The report finds that competitive markets and consistent government policy signals are essential for businesses and investors to create low-carbon jobs and growth. By establishing a strong carbon price and a level playing field through an international climate agreement, governments can unlock new investment and innovation.

“Major companies, smart investors and a new generation of entrepreneurs are already demonstrating how markets can drive low-carbon growth,” said Jeremy Oppenheim, Global Programme Director of the New Climate Economy project. “But inconsistent policy in many countries is now creating uncertainty, hurting investment and job creation. Businesses and investors need clearer market signals.”

Better Growth, Better Climate sets out a detailed 10-point Global Action Plan of practical recommendations that can achieve greater prosperity and a safer climate at the same time. These measures will all lead to net benefits to the economy, even before their climate benefits are considered.

The Commission calculates that if fully implemented its recommendations could potentially achieve up to 90% of the emissions reductions needed by 2030 to avoid dangerous climate change. This would require decisive and early action by economic decision-makers.

Over the next six months the Commission will discuss the report with economic decision-makers across the world. It aims to stimulate stronger action by governments and businesses to drive growth and emissions reductions together.

Commission Chair Felipe Calderon said: “The message to leaders is clear. We don’t have to choose between economic growth and a safe climate. We can have both. We can choose better growth and a better climate.”

Commissioner Quotes

"Our report finds that combating climate change and moving the economy forward can be mutually beneficial. The new climate economy links progress with growth through returns on clean energy investments, green bonds, and other financial and economic innovations.” - Chad Holliday, Board Chairman, Bank of America

“Climate change is an immense environmental and economic challenge. In contrast with the financial crisis, we have no ‘climate bailout option’. Putting a price on carbon would be an indispensable first step towards a low-carbon economy. The New Climate Economy report explains how this and other key policies can help us meet our climate goals.” - Angel Gurría, Secretary-General, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)

“The New Climate Economy report’s fundamental message – that economic growth and addressing climate change must go hand in hand – is one with which I fully agree. In the energy sector, climate policies will not be successful unless they also deliver secure energy supplies, underpinning countries’ growth and development needs. And energy systems cannot be secure unless they also address environmental constraints. I urge governments to carefully consider the options presented in this report to advance economic, social, and environmental objectives together.” - Maria van der Hoeven, Executive Director, International Energy Agency (IEA)

“The financial sector has a major leadership and business opportunity to accelerate environmentally and socially responsible investments which boost income and spread wealth. Taking up this challenge will demonstrate our sector’s important role in society.” - Caio Koch-Weser, Vice Chairman, Deutsche Bank Group

"We now know that climate action does not require economic sacrifice. This is fully in line with the World Bank Group's findings. It is up to all of us to make smart policy choices that will help combat climate change. For example, putting a price on carbon is a necessary step and could drive resources and investments to a cleaner economy." - Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Managing Director and Chief Operating Officer, The World Bank

“Houston has proven that it can maintain its title as the energy capital of the world while at the same time pursuing green policies and new technologies that lift our reputation as a world leader in sustainability. But we must not stop. We must continue to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower our climate risk. This is not only good for the health of our residents and our city, but we know it also improves our economic performance and growth.” - Annise Parker, Mayor of Houston

"We can tackle climate change without compromising world prosperity. To do so we have to invest in growth that is inclusive, resilient and climate friendly. In our role as an insurer and investor, we confront climate risks head on and seek ways to advance the low-carbon economy." - Michel Liès, CEO, Swiss Re

“There is no option but to transform our world to a zero carbon future. We will fight to ensure that no one is left behind. This report breaks new ground and gives workers and businesses the confidence that there can be an economic plan which creates jobs and sets our planet on the course for survival.” - Sharan Burrow, General Secretary, International Trade Union Confederation

Supporting Quotes

“This timely report demonstrates that there will be no solution to global prosperity and climate change without good urbanization. And good urbanization does not come by chance---it comes by design.” - Dr. Joan Clos, Under-Secretary-General and Executive Director, United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat)

"The New Climate Economy report drives home the message that the decisions we take today for the world, also for the cities we live in today and build tomorrow, are crucial - especially in the light of climate change and limited available resources. Making the right choices now, investing in clean and sustainable technologies, supporting green growth and sustainable urban development are at the heart of this. All levels of government need to cooperate and jointly drive forward a low carbon resilient agenda, linking to stakeholders to optimize the approach and achieve effective results." - David Cadman, President, ICLEI

The messages from this landmark report are clear and unambiguous: there are real and available alternatives to the bad policies that are destroying our future. The report makes a compelling case that decisive but urgent shifts in policies and behaviour can deliver (equitable) economic growth while grappling climate change. This must imply real changes, not only in national and international policies, but ultimately in the patterns of daily life, at the level where people live. The report highlights the central role that cities of all sizes can and must play - but only if empowered by national governments. - William Cobbett, Director, Cities Alliance

“This well researched and timely report demonstrates that we can create a world in which economic growth and prosperity sit alongside efforts to reduce carbon emissions. Given the scale of anticipated infrastructure need there is an unprecedented opportunity to plan, design, and build a smarter future. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the world’s growing cities where a greater focus on integrated urban planning and infrastructure delivery can create better, more productive cities. Leaders in the private and public sectors, in countries, regions, and cities need to seize the opportunity now." - Uwe Krueger, CEO, Atkins